It was a cool misty morning, but 34 birders arrived in The Perrings to walk around the lake, along Youngwood Lane and out towards Chelvey church and manor. The lake held the usual Coots, Swans and Canada Geese, but seven Shovelers gave us a fly past and there were a pair of Gadwalls, a few Tufted Ducks and a female Pochard. A Sparrowhawk was spotted whilst we waited to start our walk, and a Buzzard was down in the field. It then sat in a tree studying us studying it! The male Wood Duck and male Muscovy Duck were still present, and the trees around the lake had Goldfinches, Greenfinches, tits and a Song Thrush singing. One lucky person saw a Bullfinch and a few of us heard a newly-arrived Chiffchaff. In the field by Coombe Grange Farm the wild daffodils were in flower and the horse fields held Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and Greenfinches. Further along, a Romanian lorry had got stuck, having been misdirected by sat-nav into an unsuitably narrow lane. We located the farm he needed and he was linked up with the farmer! Later, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were added to the list, the latter heard drumming, and Geoff found another Chiffchaff. We also saw Jay, Ravens and a Heron. 48 species were seen altogether in spite of poor visibility – a good morning.
Sue Prince